PORT ADELAIDE SANFL coach Matthew Lokan says there are plenty of positives to take out of the side’s five-point trial game loss to North Adelaide at the weekend.
Playing at Alberton Oval, Port led by 38 points at the main change before the Roosters ran over the top in the hot conditions.
Lokan said he was disappointed to lose, but there were patches which impressed.
“You never liked to lose, even if it is a trial match, so to lose by five points is a little bit disappointing,” he told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“I think the main message that I spoke to the guys about after the game was, I think we found the way that we want to play.
“Our ability to be able to compete around the ball and then put some speed on it in the first half was really, really good.
“I thought the first half, we were able to get it on the outside of North and they just couldn’t keep up.
“We went away from that a little bit in the second half, I think North got a little bit tougher around the contest than us and we fumbled at some crucial moments, but all in all, it was a pretty good game.”
Hugh Jackson had his first game in Port colours against his former club after hip surgery, while Trent Dumont got a first full match under his belt since coming across from North Melbourne after he missed part of the trial against Woodville-West Torrens with concussion.
“It's good for Hugh Jackson to come back, that's the first bit of match play that he's played,” Lokan said.
“He ended the game with 17 disposals and kicked a nice goal which is very pleasing.
“Big Dante Visentini probably got a bit of a touch up in the ruck. Mitch Harvey is obviously an experienced ruckman, so for Dante's development it would be fantastic for him to be able to keep playing against those bigger, stronger guys.
“Trent Dumont got through the full game with 25 disposals, 10 clearances and kicked a goal himself, so from that point of view, our new guys got some good match play in and played pretty well, and it was pleasing.”
Outside of the midfield, Lokan was also pleased with the forward mix and the way the backline held up.
“We've got some speed up there with Jed McEntee, Trent Burgoyne and Anthony Wilson, we’ve certainly got some guys out there with some leg speed and I thought that our big guys competed really well today,” he said.
“Ollie Lord is starting to take some big steps forward and Luke Surman was competitive out there.
“There were some positive signs across the whole ground, not just the forward line or the mids, I think Jake Pasini did a good job in the backline, Jase Burgoyne and Marty Frederick provided some good run and carry off back.”
Port Adelaide will complete its pre-season schedule on Saturday morning from 10am with a final trial game against Adelaide – the side it will open the SANFL season against less than a week later.
